This week is going to be a short blog. My wife, my youngest daughter and myself are flying to NY in 4 hours 😀. We are going to visit my oldest daughter who has been Au Pairing there for 10 months.

I’ve had a ton of things to do, before leaving, and have chosen to allocate my time to other matters, (as per an email from Mark very early on in the course, I am choosing my words and not saying, I haven’t had time). That means I have not allocated time to my blog, and to the reading of members blogs. I apologise to all whose blogs I normally follow for my recent absence. I hope to catch up during the flight. If you see no response, it means I was unable to comment, and I apologise in advance.

Emerson’s “Self Reliance” has got my attention this week. For those struggling with the English, here are some Cliff Notes. The way I see it, Emerson contradicts himself. He “advises/admonishes that we should rely on ourselves, and not the opinion of others. What is that other than his opinion.

This doesn’t mean I regard this essay is worthless. I agree that one should not blindly accept information/opinions from others, but that we should evaluate and seriously consider whether this is of value to us. Everything we accept needs to be “applied”. This is consistent with Haanel’s teachings. Once we have applied the information we are able to decide whether this is of value to us. We need also always consider that the “watchman at the gate” needs to ensure that only that which serves us is allowed to become “flesh.

That one question asked in the recent webinar, has also had me thinking. “Do you want a different life or are you just trying to improve the one you have?” I admit that although I initially stated that I wanted to live my life based on intention and not method, I didn’t think I wanted to create a new life. This totally contradicts Og’s first scroll, “ today I begin a new life, so to state it simply confusion reigns. I honestly thought I only wanted to improve the one I’ve got. I still am confused, and am not able to answer .

Haanel this week was awesome, and the introduction to the lesson, just blew me away.

This has been a strange week. Not all bad, in fact nothing “bad” as such, not all good, in fact lots of good, but I have not been in “control”. If I’m confusing you, that’s great. Welcome to my reality:-).

There has been lots going on right now for me.

We leave to visit Michelle my oldest daughter who is Au Pairing in New York on the 18th (which means two and a bit weeks out of the office).

I have a visit from my professional accounting body tomorrow the 14th (this is an important visit, and my ability to continue to be accredited to train accountants depends on a favourable review) .

We had a “visitors day” in BNI Thursday past, with over 45 visitors (our BNI chapter has reduced from forty odd members to around 22).

And as usual a ton of work related issues to deal with, as well as with life.

While trying to finalise this blog post, I received a phone call from my manager informing me that the trainee who was supposed to do an inventory count just let her know that her Dad is being collected by the ambulance after vomiting up a liter of blood.

Just jotting this down exhausts me, and gets my mind racing.

During the week I communicated to my fellow Master Mind partners , Reenen and Tobie, that I was feeling distached. Search as I might, I couldn’t find such a word. Pretty much sums up where I am at the moment, making up my own words to describe my situation :???:. I now find out the correct word to use was detached, sorry Tobie for confusing you.

Some of the good stuff that happened:

On Wednesday I supported a fellow BNI member who has become a friend , by visiting another BNI member where her company was doing the presentation for the day (Key Note). After the meeting where we all get a chance to participate in various ways, a member of this chapter approached me and said “I don’t know what it is about you, but you have a certain presence, have you noticed that when you speak, people around you are smiling”. Well to say that came as a surprise is the understatement of the year (with all mentioned above , and the way I was feeling). It made me feel really good.

The visitors meeting on Thursday went extremely well, and I noticed during the meeting that I “found myself” standing in a Power Pose.

On Friday we attended what we call a CANSA Relay for Life. During the evening a candle was lit for people close to us that passed away from cancer. This was very emotional (our receptionist is a cancer survivor, and my mother in law had cancer). The feeling of “connectedness” was indescribable.

This morning in church I noticed my wife becoming uncomfortable, and then she suddenly relaxed. She has had a headache since yesterday, the lady behind her realised she had pain, and started rubbing/massaging her back/shoulder. Within a minute or two she had found the pressure point and released it. My wife described it as an “explosion”, which resulted in immediate pain relief. I asked the lady (they are new, and it is the 1st time we’ve met them, how she knew where to massage, and she said she felt the negative energy. We sat in our usual spot, but the “unexplainable little thing” is that the lady and her husband sat right behind where we sit. If she had sat any other place, this wouldn’t have happened.

The first two experiences above show some of the impact this experience is having on my life, even in my “distachedness” , and the second two are an indication of our “connectedness”. Contrast even in the good :idea:.

In this weeks videowe were given Wallace Wattles “ The Science of getting Rich” to watch, and Mark said he wanted us to be self directed and we could listen/watch it or not, it was up to us. I started well, and on Monday got through the 1st 5 chapters. I’m afraid to say, that was that. I also have not yet finished Emerson’s “Self Reliance”. As I type this, I realize there is a message in this.

This quote from Steve Jobs gives some indication of how I understand Emersons “ Self Reliance”

At last weeks webbie, Trish spoke about Deepak Chopra’s “1st Spiritual Law of Success”. I read the 1st Law and found lots of value in it. The last part of the chapter shows how to apply this law.

APPLYING THE LAW OF PURE POTENTIALITY

I will put the Law of Pure Potentiality into effect by making a commitment to take the

following steps:

(1) I will get in touch with the field of pure potentiality by taking time each day to be silent, to just Be. I will also sit alone in silent meditation at least twice a day for approximately thirty minutes in the morning and thirty minutes in the evening.

(2) I will take time each day to commune with nature and to silently witness the intelli-

gence within every living thing. I will sit silently and watch a sunset, or listen to the

sound of the ocean or a stream, or simply smell the scent of a flower. In the ecstasy of

my own silence, and by communing with nature, 1 will enjoy the lire throb of ages, the

field of pure potentiality and unbounded creativity.

(3) I will practice non-judgment. I will begin my day with the statement, .Today, I shall

judge nothing that occurs,. and throughout the day.

None of these are really new for us, but I became aware of how judgemental I am. In all cases these “judgements” are internal, so I’m not expressing them to anyone but myself.

As all know by now who have been reading my blog, I love referring to the dictionary to clear up any confusion.

Surprise, surprise, there is no significant difference between expressing an opinion and being judgemental, except that passing judgement is from an “assumed” position of superiority. OUCH!!! I find this really strange. As far back as week 5, we have been practising “No Opinions”.

From Week 22 Master Keys “ 1. Knowledge is of priceless value, because by applying knowledge we can make our future what we wish it to be. When we realize that our present character, our present environment, our present ability, our present physical condition are all the result of past methods of thinking, we shall begin to have some conception of the value of knowledge.

2. If the state of our health is not all that could be desired, let us examine our method of thinking; let us remember that every thought produces an impression on the mind; every impression is a seed which will sink into the subconscious and form a tendency; the tendency will be to attract other similar thoughts and before we know it we shall have a crop which must be harvested.”

I wonder what effect these judgemental thoughts have had on my character, my ability, my present physical condition and my current environment. What crop have I harvested?

: an unusual or wonderful event that is believed to be caused by the power of God

: a very amazing or unusual event, thing, or achievement

Based on what I’ve learned during the MKE, and specifically in the last week, I would like to re-write the above definition. This is a “work in progress” and will evolve.

Definition of miracle by Martin, MKE student

: an usual or everyday amazing event that is caused by the power of God, which is in me, and to which I am connected.

Now I am able to ask you to make “Albert’s Choice”

“There are only 2 ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is a miracle” Albert Einstein

What is your choice?

BMK (before Master Keys), I have to admit to living life without any awareness whatsoever of miracles. Miracles to me were those isolated, BIG events which you heard of every now and then, that happened to other people. Due to this limiting view, not even child birth was viewed as a miracle, as this happened all the time, and was not unusual in any way. Frightening that I could think like that, or is is a miracle ;-).

Now thanks to the MKE, and to my mastermind of Tobie and Reenen, I am in the process of seeing everything as a miracle. Tobie has continuously on our Whatsapp group this week, asked us to think deeply about miracles. It has eventually hit “consciousness”. Thanks Tobie!

A miracle is being told that the client I need to see about a large long outstanding and contentious amount has arrived without an appointment.

A miracle is that I ( I honestly admit to having to fight off the temptation of saying I am to busy to see him – sounds like a miracle) agree to see him.

A miracle is that I walk down the stairs (walking is a miracle), with the sole purpose of being of SERVICE.

A miracle is that within the 1st 10 seconds of our conversation I get to tell my client about the privilege we have of being granted this day (thanks to Og’s “I live this day as if it is my last” scroll”).

A miracle is that we agree on an amount to be paid to settle the account (thanks to the 5th part of the BPB, “I engage in no transaction, that does not benefit all whom it affects”).

A miracle is that the client after settling the agreed amount, asks me for the details of Og’s book, and I promise to have a copy for him in my office, the next time he drops by.

A miracle is……. Just kidding I have stop this miracle stuff before I bore you, and in any case I have to run to buy a copy of “The Greatest Salesman in the World”, I always keep my promises.

I have been travelling away from home on business since Wednesday, and have had challenges with my time, focus and routine. Although I have managed to do my exercises, I have found it challenging to give thought to my blog.

From Week 20 Master Key System “ 2. You may have all the wealth in Christendom, but unless you recognize it and make use of it, it will have no value; so with your spiritual wealth: unless you recognize it and use it, it will have no value. The one and only condition of spiritual power is use or recognition.

Thinking is the true business of life, power is the result. You are at all times dealing with the magical power of thought and consciousness. What results can you expect so long as you remain oblivious to the power which has been placed within your control?

Thought is creative vibration and the quality of the conditions created will depend upon the quality of our thought, because we cannot express powers which we do not possess. We must “be” before we can “do” and we can “do” only to the extent to which we “are,” and so what we do will necessarily coincide with what we “are” and what we are depends upon what we “think.””

I find myself living in a “parallel world”. Having been on this course for 20 weeks, has influenced my life in so many ways. Mostdays life is plain sailing and easy, and I am able to deal effortlessly with challenges and disruptions. During this time I am in the flow, I am “being”. I have recognized , claimed and am using my power.

And then the “dark side” hits me. That one phone call or situation, which creates fear, anxiety, and unease. I suddenly stop “being”. I am unable to recognize and claim my power.

Looking back at my life BMK (Before Master Keys), it is obvious I only reacted to life. In that frame of mind, one just drifts, there is no real consciousness of power of any kind, and therefor life just is. In a weird way I thought I was in the flow. Reading the paragraphs above, I now realize I was “being”. But this state of being was one void of power.

I realize that growth is a process, and that it will never be done. Although I get frustrated when I lose my power, I realize how much progress I have made, and how much I have grown. I now know that thoughts and feelings of my choice will create the results I desire.

I will continue to observe and be aware of when the “dark side” hits me and eliminate it with the “Light and Power” within me.

From Master Key System Week 2 Introduction “Direct your effort to a realization of the mental resources, always at your command, from which all real and lasting power comes.

Persist in this practice until you come to a realization of the fact that there can be no failure in the accomplishment of any proper object in life if you but understand your power and persist in your object, because the mind-forces are ever ready to lend themselves to a purposeful will, in the effort to crystallize thought and desire into actions, events and conditions.

Whereas in the beginning of each function of life and each action is the result of conscious thought, the habitual actions become automatic and the thought that controls them passes into the realm of the subconscious; yet it is just as intelligent as before. It is necessary that it become automatic, or subconscious, in order that the self-conscious mind may attend to other things. The new actions will, however, in their turn, be come habitual, then automatic, then subconscious in order that the mind again may be freed from this detail and advanced to still other activities.

When you realize this, you will have found a source of power which will enable you to take care of any situation in life which may develop.”

From Master Key System Week 19 – introduction. “Of course the way to overcome fear is to become conscious of power. What is this mysterious vital force which we call power? We do not know, but then, neither do we know what electricity is. But we do know that by conforming to the requirements of the law by which electricity is governed, it will be our obedient servant; that it will light our homes, our cities, run our machinery, and serve us in many useful capacities.

And so it is with vital force. Although we do not know what it is, and possibly may never know, we do know that it is a primary force which manifests through living bodies, and that by complying with the laws and principles by which it is governed, we can open ourselves to a more abundant inflow of this vital energy, and thus express the highest possible degree of mental, moral, and spiritual efficiency.

This week I exchanged emails with my guide, Claes. You can read Claes’ latest blog post here. The following is an excerpt from his mail to me” I must admit that being surprised by a totally unexpected divorce while launching on a 90 day run has been extremely challenging and I would not have made it a year ago. This is the true benefit of the Master Key Experience and the work we are all doing, while I didn´t want that experience I know that I somehow created it to let something even better to be attracted and manifested.Observing how the continuous pursuit of the mental diet has made me feel happy for no reason in the midst of what I would earlier have considered a disaster is nothing short of a miracle. “

I find the level of thinking (knowing that something better than what was will manifest) in this type of situation, where most people will be grappling with all sorts of negative emotions, nothing short of a miracle.

I am unable find a better expression/demonstration of power, and I am grateful for the lessons, guidance, exposure, this wonderful course has given me.

A theme which has run through this MKE has been SERVICE. From Master Keys week 18.

In order to grow we must obtain what is essential for our growth, but as we are at all times a complete thought entity, this completeness makes it possible for us to receive only as we give; growth is therefore conditioned on reciprocal action, and we find that on the mental plane like attracts like, that mental vibrations respond only to the extent of their vibratory harmony.

It is clear, therefore, that thoughts of abundance will respond only to similar thoughts; the wealth of the individual is seen to be what he inherently is. Affluence within is found to be the secret of attraction for affluence without. The ability to produce is found to be the real source of wealth of the individual. It is for this reason that he who has his heart in his work is certain to meet with unbounded success. He will give and continually give; and the more he gives, the more he will receive.

My carry over from scroll 2 (I have continued to read each carryover from all the scrolls as we have moved through them) is “And how do I confront each whom I meet? In only one way. In silence and to myself I address him and say I Love You. Though spoken in silence these words shine in my eyes, un-wrinkle my brow, bring a smile to my lips, and echo in my voice; and his heart is opened. And who is there who says nay to my goods when his hearts feels my love?”

From my DMP “From or before the 31st of March 2016, I attract three large new clients generating income of over R300, 000 per year.”

Us bean counters (slang for accountants), frown upon so called “inexplicable events”.

Four years ago I was summonsed to attend a hearing regarding a client who had been liquidated. Although there was no concern regarding any wrong doing, It meant a day out of the office, travelling expenses and lost revenue. At this hearing I met a previous employee of my client, who was also summoned to appear. We introduced ourselves and had a conversation. As we left we said our good byes and returned home.

Last week I saw that an appointment had been made with a “Deon” regarding the auditing of a small company. As I stepped in to our board room I saw that Deon was the person I had met four years ago. He was acting on behalf of the director of the company, and was interested in engaging our services. I requested some information from him, which he agreed to let me have this past Tuesday. On Tuesday he brought it in, and then mentioned that the same director was also shareholder/director of a very large concern and he wanted to meet me regarding my firms appointment as accountant to this company.

I met with the client yesterday, and will be submitting my quote next week. I believe I will receive the appointment, due to the way this was attracted exactly as stated in my DMP.

For many of you this may be “normal” but for a bean counter it is pretty extraordinary. This appointment will create 90% of my targeted revenue, and with other appointments made since the start of the course will easily exceed the amount in my DMP.

I had to reconcile the pure monetary goal in my DMP, with service, which I did by using the extract from scroll two mentioned above. By “greeting the prospective client” with love in my heart, I am able to focus on being of service, from which the monetary goal will flow. The two passages from Haanel also gave me the correct perspective. I must first be prepared to give, and secondly, I need to live/BE and have my heart in my work. I will ensure that my next goal in my DMP, is directly coupled with SERVICE.

This has been a good week, kicked off by an awesome webinar which I was unable to watch live due to travelling. I have not yet achieved the title of “Greatest Salesman in the World”, but am making steady progress. I love the question “what would the person I intend to become do next?”

This is an incredibly powerful question. It relates only to me/the guy in the glass, and strips away all the Beef Stroganoff. This has provided lots of food for thought, and positive action.